Europeans reject Iran move to deflect nuclear row

Monday 30 January 2006 20.37 EST
First published on Monday 30 January 2006 20.37 EST

Britain, France and Germany yesterday rejected a late attempt by the Iranian government to avoid being referred to the United Nations security council over its suspected nuclear weapons programme.

Officials from the three countries met in Brussels at the request of the Iranians but said afterwards that there had been no fresh offer.

"To be frank we didn't detect anything new in their approach," John Sawers, the British representative at the talks, said.

Condoleezza Rice, the US secretary of state, discussed the next steps in London last night with Jack Straw, the foreign secretary, and their French, German, Russian and Chinese counterparts.

Britain, France and Germany are planning to table a resolution on Thursday at the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the UN nuclear watchdog, in Vienna to refer Iran to the security council. Ms Rice said in London that the time had come for referral.

Echoing this, Philippe Douste-Blazy, the French foreign minister, offered a blunter than usual assessment. He said the talks with the Iranians yesterday had achieved nothing.

"The negotiating process has reached an impasse and the involvement of the security council is now necessary," he said. "Iran has challenged the entire international community. The international community has to respond to that challenge with firmness and efficiency."

The British, French and German officials met Iran's deputy nuclear negotiator, Javad Vaedi, who set out a compromise in which Tehran's uranium enrichment programme would be carried out in Russia, which could then monitor it, rather than in Iran. But the European officials said Mr Vaedi had said there were amendments to this plan but refused to say what they were.

Ms Rice and the European foreign ministers now see Russia as the key, both to clear up exactly what Iran is offering and whether Moscow will support the US, Britain and France if the issue goes to the security council.

The US, the Europeans and Israel claim that Iran is intent on securing a nuclear weapon, while Iran insists its intention is only to use nuclear power to generate electricity.

Iran is hoping that the 35-member board of the IAEA will not refer the issue to the security council and instead postpone a decision for a month. Iran is due to hold talks in Moscow on February 16 about its compromise plan.

Iran tried to strike an upbeat note yesterday. Mr Vaedi said: "Now we can continue opening the chance for talks."